US government officials told CNN on Friday that talks will continue to pursue hostage negotiations, despite the intensification of Israeli strikes on Gaza.
One official said earlier talks had seemed closer to moving forward than they do now, but insisted they would press for negotiations to continue.
“There’s no scenario until they’re freed that we would stop pursuing talks,” the official said.
A third official said the talks are “tug and pull.”
The comments came after IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the IAF has been intensifying its air strikes in Gaza and added that the IDF ground forces would be intensifying the ground operation.
On the reports of negotiations on the return of the hostages, he said, "I suggest not to pay attention to the rumors, this is psychological terrorism by Hamas."
US President Joe Biden on Thursday reiterated his commitment to secure the release of all the hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“We’re working around the clock – together with our partners in the Middle East – to secure the release of hostages, including American citizens being held by Hamas, and the safe passage of Americans out of Gaza,” he wrote on X.
“We will not stop until we get them home,” stressed Biden.
(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)